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HOT JOBS
USI events and updates for the week of 12/9/2024
Wednesday, December 11
USI to host inaugural Beekeeping Society meeting
The USI Beekeeping Society is hosting its inaugural meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, December 11 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. The meeting is open to the public at no charge. Reserving your spot is encouraged.
Saturday, December 14
USI to recognize, celebrate Fall 2024 graduates
The University will host two Fall Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, December 14 in Liberty Arena, Home of the Screaming Eagles. six hundred and fifty-three students are eligible to receive doctoral degrees, master’s degrees, post-bachelor certificates, bachelor’s degrees and associate degrees.
SAVE THE DATE
January 23
Cohen to present as USI Edward D. and Regina Rechnic Holocaust Series speaker
USI will host the third annual Edward D. and Regina Rechnic Holocaust Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2025, in the Performance Center, located on the USI campus. The 2025 speaker is Judy Cohen, former Chief Acquisitions Curator at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The presentation is open to the public at no charge.
January 25
Southern Indiana Dance Marathon returns to USI January 25
Southern Indiana Dance Marathon (SIDM) will return to the University of Southern Indiana for its 13th year on Saturday, January 25 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. Participants will be on their feet for 10 hours straight to raise money and awareness for Riley Hospital for Children. This year’s event will be held from noon to 10 p.m.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Released Thursday, December 5
USI appoints Provost, announces changes in Undergraduate Admissions
The University has named Dr. Shelly B. Blunt Provost for the University, effective December 1, 2024. She has served as Interim Provost since July 1, 2023. Interim President Bridges is appointing Rashad Smith, Executive Director of Enrollment, to Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions, reporting directly to the President
USI CALENDAR
A collection of events on campus and in the community can be found on the USI Events Calendar.
Weekend Fatality Accident
In the early morning hours of December 7, Evansville Central Dispatch received reports of a
pedestrian being struck by a vehicle on southbound I-69, just north of the Lloyd Expressway exit. Upon
arrival, officers discovered a male victim lying in the roadway, with four vehicles stopped on the
shoulder.
One of the drivers stopped after striking the pedestrian, while two other vehicles had
inadvertently driven over the victim, unaware he was in the roadway. A fourth vehicle, a GMC pickup
truck, was located nearby, unoccupied but running. This vehicle was registered to the pedestrian.
It is unclear why the victim, identified as 32-year-old Dennis Copeland of Appling, Georgia, was
outside of his vehicle. Initial findings suggest that Copeland had opened his door to urinate on the
shoulder near the driver’s side, before crossing the median and being struck by a southbound vehicle.
The driver who initially struck Copeland was taken to a local hospital for a standard blood draw,
as part of routine procedure. Copeland was pronounced deceased at the scene. The investigation is
ongoing, and further details will be provided as they become available.
Ten Hoosiers Set for Short Course World Championships
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Ten members of the Indiana swimming and diving program will participate in the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) this week (Dec. 10-15) in Budapest, Hungary.
World Aquatics hosts the ‘short course’ world championships biennially, utilizing a 25-meter pool as opposed to the 50-meter pool customarily used in international meets. The shorter pool is more similar to the 25-yard pools used in collegiate meets.
Indiana’s contingent includes three individuals representing USA Swimming and seven international athletes – altogether representing seven unique countries.
Peacock will air each finals session, which will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET Tuesday through Sunday.
After medaling at the 2024 Paris Olympics, IU alumna Lilly King and current Hoosier senior Matt King (no relation) will represent the United States once again on the world stage. The former enters the meet as the American record holder in the 50-meter breaststroke (28.77) and 100-meter breaststroke (1:02.50). The duo is joined by IU associate head coach John Long, Jr., who will serve USA Swimming as an assistant coach.
2024 Paris Olympians Ching Hwee Gan (Singapore), Miroslav Knedla (Czechia), Rafael Miroslaw (Germany) and Zalán Sárkány (Hungary) will return to action for their home countries this week. IU’s international group is rounded out by IU junior Chiok Sze Yeo – also representing Singapore – and sophomore Miranda Grana, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico.
Hoosiers at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships (25m)
| Name | Country | Individual Events |
| Brearna Crawford | New Zealand | 50m Breaststroke
100m Breaststroke |
| Ching Hwee Gan | Singapore | 200m Freestyle
400m Freestyle 800m Freestyle 1,500m Freestyle |
| Miranda Grana | Neutral | 50m Backstroke
100m Backstroke |
| Lilly King | United States | 50m Breaststroke
100m Breaststroke |
| Matt King | United States | Relay Only Athlete |
| Miroslav Knedla | Czechia | 50m Backstroke
100m Backstroke 100m Individual Medley |
| John Long, Jr. | United States | Assistant Coach |
| Rafael Miroslaw | Germany | 100m Freestyle
200m Freestyle |
| Zalán Sárkány | Hungary | 400m Freestyle
800m Freestyle 1,500m Freestyle |
| Chiok Sze Yeo | Singapore | 50m Freestyle |
BREAKING: NEWS: Case Dropped Against Former Attorney General Curtis Hill
The day before jury selection was supposed to begin in the civil battery case against Curtis Hill, the four women who accused Hill of groping them dropped the charges. The dismissal of the case comes after seven years of legal battles over an incident that allegedly took place in an Indianapolis bar in 2018.
Hill was a rising star in Republican politics before the allegations, but he lost the Republican nomination for attorney general to Todd Rokita in 2020. He was a candidate earlier this year in the Republican primary race for governor.
Hill issued a statement that said the dismissal is a vindication of his longstanding denial of the claims.
“There was no financial settlement. There were no conditions for dismissal,” he said. “The case against me was dismissed with prejudice by each of the plaintiffs, thus ending this odyssey of unfounded allegations that have dogged me for nearly seven years and have served as the fuel for political and personal attacks against me.”
Lt. Governor-elect Micah Beckwith Speaks Out About Lack of GOP Support for Curtis Hill
Indiana’s Lt. Governor-elect, Micah Beckwith released a statement today criticizing GOP leadership for how the party has handled the groping allegations against then-Attorney General Curtis Hill in 2018.
Some in the Indianapolis media are saying that Micah was criticizing Mike Braun along with GOP leadership.
Read his full statement and decide for yourself.
“I’m so grateful that my friend and former Indiana Attorney General, Curtis Hill, was vindicated today! For the last 6 years, the Indiana ruling-class elite has been on a character assassination witch hunt because Curtis stood up to the corrupt establishment at the ‘18 GOP State Convention in defense of marriage. Curtis embodied the MAGA movement, and just like we saw with President Trump, he was targeted by those in power who would do anything to keep it. I was also very disappointed in how so many fellow Republicans in office during these baseless allegations didn’t step up and defend Curtis. It’s a complete double standard. For instance, what happened with IN Democrat State Senator Greg Taylor? Similar allegations were brought against him, such as “THAT HE DOESN’T DENY,” I’ve heard ZERO from the current administration and those calling for Curtis’ resignation within hours of his alleged incident.
The double standard is disgraceful and I’m thankful for courageous leaders like President Trump and Curtis Hill who don’t back down in the face of lawfare and lies. It’s a new day in America! God is exposing all the hypocrites, the cowards, and those who bear false witness! Get ready!”
-Micah Beckwith
INDIANA LT. GOVERNOR-ELECT
HOT JOBS
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From DOGE to DOPE: A Tale of Government and Party Efficiency
From DOGE to DOPE: A Tale of Government and Party Efficiency
by JOE WALLACE
DECEMBER 10, 2024
In an age where acronyms reign supreme, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has captivated the hearts of efficiency enthusiasts and meme lords alike. With its noble mission to root out waste and introduce accountability into the labyrinth of government spending, DOGE has garnered respect (and a chuckle or two) for taking on the Herculean task of whipping bureaucracy into shape.
But as the spotlight shines on DOGE, another acronym has emerged from the shadows: DOPE—the Department of Party Efficiency. It seems the Democratic National Committee (DNC), in a bid to tighten its financial belt, has taken efficiency to a whole new level by laying off most of its campaign staff with no severance, despite previously promising employment through the end of the year.
If DOGE is about fiscal prudence, DOPE is about… well, something else entirely. The name fits like a glove, and we’re here to explore the potential of this newly minted department in a spirit of humor and mild disbelief.
The Mission of DOPE
Unlike DOGE, which combs through government budgets to find absurdities like $2,000 coffee makers for a conference room no one uses, DOPE would be the master of party logistics, streamlining political operations with the same delicate touch as a bull in a china shop. The first official act of DOPE, naturally, was to demonstrate its efficiency by eliminating payroll expenses faster than you can say “campaign finance.”
One could almost imagine the internal memo:
“Dear Staff, In our relentless pursuit of efficiency, we have decided to downsize immediately. Your positions are terminated effective now, which technically makes you more efficient because you no longer have to clock in. Thank you for your service! Sincerely, DOPE.”
What Could DOPE Do Next?
The possibilities are endless. Let’s speculate on how DOPE might further its mission:
- Cutting Corners on Campaign Events
Why spend millions on glossy rallies with balloons, banners, and Beyoncé performances? DOPE would likely suggest renting the back room of a chain pizza restaurant. Bonus points if you can lure voters in with a buy-one-get-one-free buffet deal. - Robo-Calls for Fundraising
Forget high-priced fundraisers with celebrity hosts. DOPE could unleash a battalion of robo-calls featuring messages like: “Hi, this is DOPE. We don’t have much money, but we’d love it if you could Venmo us $5 for pizza.” - Recycling Political Signs
Why print new campaign signs every election? Just slap a sticker with the latest candidate’s name over the old ones. Sure, the voters might be confused when they see “Hope and Change” with a DOPE twist, but efficiency knows no bounds. - Efficiency in Messaging
Complex policy platforms are so last decade. DOPE could pioneer the one-word campaign slogan: “Stuff.” It’s vague, unoffensive, and open to interpretation. - Transportation Savings
Private jets? Out. Greyhound buses? In. Better yet, encourage candidates to carpool with their constituents. Nothing says “man of the people” like sitting in the middle seat of a minivan.
Why the Name Is Perfect
DOPE captures the essence of its brand. It suggests a whimsical blend of audacity and cluelessness that would make even the most hardened bureaucrat grin. It’s a name that says, “We don’t know what we’re doing, but we’re doing it efficiently!”
The term “dope” itself has a rich history, oscillating between slang for brilliance (“That’s dope!”) and idiocy (“What a dope!”). The Department of Party Efficiency embodies both meanings, depending on which side of the severance letter you’re sitting on.
A Word of Advice for DOPE
While DOPE’s debut performance has certainly caught our attention, it might want to take a page from DOGE’s playbook. Transparency and trust go a long way in building goodwill. Perhaps the next memo from DOPE could include an apology—or at least a pizza party for the staff they just axed.
In the meantime, we can only marvel at DOPE’s ability to generate headlines. After all, who needs a communications team when your efficiency measures are the talk of the town?
So here’s to DOGE and DOPE, acronyms that remind us there’s always room for improvement—whether in government, parties, or the lexicon of efficiency. Now, if only we could create a Department of Common Sense (DOCS), we might